Skin Cancer Warning Signs - What To Look For And What To Do

People often worry about skin cancer and wonder what they should be on the look out for in the way of warning signs. People want to know what the most common signs are, and what they should and should not be concerned about when they look at themselves in the mirror. Sadly, there is no one telltale sign of skin cancer -- rather there is a package of skin changes you should keep an eye out for, checking constantly that your skin is free and clear of them. This is especially important for those who spend a great deal of time outdoors and those who had a lot of sunburns when they were younger.

While there is no one sign of skin cancer that is experienced by everyone who has it, there are a few warning signs that you should be aware of, signs that may or may not point to skin cancer. The first of these deals with moles - if you notice any new moles, or old moles that have changed in size or color (especially becoming larger or darker), you should see a doctor. These types of changes are often signs of malignant melanoma. The most dangerous form in its early stages, malignant melanoma often takes the form of a common mole before developing into a more serious condition.

The second warning sign you should keep an eye out for is the development of new open wounds. This is especially important if these wounds appear in places on which you have previously experienced sunburn, or places which have gotten a great amount of sun exposure over the years. These types of sores may be serious -- sometimes bleeding or emitting puss -- and often have irregular edges, a sign that cancerous sells may be involved and growing beyond the sore's boundaries.

Armed with the knowledge of these most common skin cancer warning signs, it is important to keep an eye out for them. Examine your skin relatively often, with these specific things in mind. If you spend a lot of time in the sun, you should make sure that you check your skin regularly for these warning signs, in order quickly spot the development of any potentially cancerous patches. If you spot something that you think may be a potential skin cancer warning sign, make an appointment with a dermatologist and have it looked at as soon as possible.